My brother died unexpectedly at the weekend. He hadn't been ill, he was only 55.
He lives (lived) on his own, but he has a large network of friends and one of them alerted me on Monday that they couldn't get in touch with him. I hadn't heard from him since Saturday afternoon. I got a key to his house and I found his body.
I've been so busy dealing with contacting friends, family, work and various organisations that I haven't really had time to think about how I feel. Which has helped, in a way. It's given me time to get used to the idea before I've had time to react.
I just wanted to thank Gabi for her help editing my recent stories, particularly 'Harvey and the pretty girl'. There are a few more chapters to post before Halloween and I just wanted to make sure that I thanked her properly. I struggle just to write the words at the moment with everything else that is going on in my life, so it means a lot to have someone who will pitch in and help with editing.
All the mistakes are mine and all the corrected spellings are hers :-)
Boris Johnson announced this evening that the UK is in lockdown with immediate effect. I was due to move house on Thursday. Everything is in boxes. It looks like I'm going to have to stay here and pay for a house 50 miles away as well with no prospect of selling this house.
Plus, local Government in the UK charges double on empty properties.
Just to add insult to injury.
I have another part of "Virtually Feminine" for you this week. My muse was kicking me to make some progress, so I finished this.
I broke a tooth today so I was in two minds about publishing it.
I can't see me having another chapter ready next week. Maybe a standalone or something next week?
Now that 'A Christmas Party' has come to an end I have the opportunity to release the next part of 'Virtually Feminine' continuing on from where Julie from HR revealed that someone had sent a letter accusing Andy of wearing women's clothes...
I've posted the final part of my story today. It's longer than the other parts and includes some things people have been asking about... including a seduction, but I've tried not to be too explicit.
When I got to the end I was going to put "The End", but it feels more like "A Beginning". There's a lot of un-answered threads still and places these characters could go. But I'm drawing a line under everything for now.
I'm moving house soon and I have some other stories backed up. But I'm hoping to write about Bobbi and Jordan some more this year.
I've just posted the first part of a new story. I started writing it last year, but you know how slow I can be.
I have another 6 parts complete and the 8th and final part is well under way, so I hope I won't leave people disappointed and impatient again.
As always, I would welcome any comments, good or bad. How can I improve if you don't tell me what you honestly think?
Sorry about my latest posting 'Beyond the grave'. It's a short story for Halloween but I ran out of time and I haven't had a chance to proofread it as I normally would.
I thought it would be pointless to release it at Christmas though. Oh, and being a Halloween tale it's a bit dark in places with some triggers. It is a ghost story, after all...
I'm so sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings again, and I don't know his views on gender issues, but Stan Lee was a great influence on my life and my characters. It so sad to see another of my heroes pass away. I'm sure some of you, like me, lost yourself in comic books with their larger than life heroes that were a little more human than those that came before.
Just thought some of you might like to know the news. He was 95.
I've just woken up in the UK to hear all over the news that David Bowie has died of cancer at the age of 69.
Bowie has been a hero to me.
I just thought some of you would want to know.
Checks can be made out & sent to:
Joyce Melton
1001 Third St.
Space 80
Calimesa, CA 92320
USA
Note: $6000 is the operating, maintenance and upgrade budget. Amounts received in excess of the $6000 will be applied to long term debt accrued over the last 19 years.